VJ Day: After more than 70 years, a fallen hero is finally recognised by his hometown memorial

A soldier killed by Japanese troops has finally had his name etched on his town's war memorial in time for VJ Day, after he was omitted over 70 years ago for not being born there.

Despite having been killed in action during the Second World War as he helped to defend a bridge against advancing Japanese troops at Johor, Malaysia, in 1942, Private Norman Stevenson never received an engraving on the war memorial in his hometown of Thetford, Norfolk.

Private Stevenson was originally from Birkinhead, Liverpool, and it was felt by local authorities that despite having settled in Thetford after meeting his wife at a dance before the war, his name could not be included beside the other soldiers who hailed from the Norfolk town.

Private Stevenson served with the Royal Norfolk Regiment, 5th Battalion.

Now, just as the country commemorates the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day, the day the Second World War officially ended, his son, Colin, has finally succeeded in getting his father’s name etched onto the memorial.

"My grandfather and my mother were told by officialdom that it was because he wasn't born in Thetford and the memorial was for Thetford boys,” said Mr Stevenson, 79.

He explained that last year he contacted the Royal British Legion's branch at Thetford, and between them and the local council “they have moved heaven and earth and his name is finally on the memorial”.

“It has taken our family 75 years. It was an overwhelming moment, but I was so pleased, so was my sister,” he added. "All of the boys who served in a regiment should be on a memorial and on Saturday I will be there to pay my respects."

On Saturday, Mr Stevenson will join the nation as it pays its respects to the 71,000 British and Commonwealth troops who died during the war against Japan, 12,000 of them people who died in Japanese captivity.

Commemorations will involve a National Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA); a flypast over the four Home Nations by the Red Arrows; and a cultural tribute led by the Armed Forces and broadcast on BBC One.

While the coronavirus pandemic has prevented plans for a large public event the Royal British Legion will host veterans in a safe way at the National Service of Remembrance.

To signify the moment the UK woke up to peace on this day in 1945, at 6am this morning military pipers will perform ‘When the Battle’s O’er’ on board HMS Belfast and at the NMA, following on from earlier performances of the same tribute by troops in India, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal.

Half an hour later Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in London, before the National Service of Remembrance takes place later in the morning.

In attendance will be the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Boris Johnson, Mr Wallace and General Sir Nick Carter, who will join Second World War veterans, their carers and their families.

However, many veterans will not be able to enjoy the commemorations, such as Richard Edser, a 94-year-old, from Harlow in Essex, who survived kamikaze attacks on board the HMS Formidable aircraft carrier during his service in East Asia, but died days before the anniversary.

After his death on August 12, his children Bernard and Madeline said in a statement: "We know how much Dad would have liked to have been present at the VJ Day 75 celebrations if they had been allowed to take place this year.

"Right up until the end he liked to be well groomed and smart, appearances mattered to him, he was a very proud man who will be sorely missed,” they said.

Two veterans who will be watching the service from afar include George Goring, who served on HMS Activity, and Alf Lonsdale of HMS Glengyle.  The men formed part of what became known as the ‘Forgotten Army’ due to the fact victory in Europe had already been achieved.

Mr Goring, 94, remembered how by the time he returned to the UK in 1947, there was no widespread celebration like those seen on VE Day.

“There was no cheering for us. When you see ships come home you see all the girls cheering, their in-laws, cheering them in, there was nothing like that,” he said.

“We just came into Liverpool, came ashore, on the train and down to Portsmouth. That was it. There were no celebrations from the Navy point of view, or anybody’s point of view, when we came home."

Similarly, 95-year-old Mr Lonsdale made a low-key return. “After we left the ship it was back on the train to Portsmouth, and I hung around there for about a week, did demob tests, or whatever you like to call them, then one morning, across to the clothing depot to pick up my demob suit and cheerio, that was it,” he said.

In a speech to commemorate those involved in VJ Day Boris Johnson acknowledged that their returns were often “overshadowed in popular imagination by the conflict in Europe”.

“In offering my thanks for your service, I would like to remember what you achieved,” the Prime Minister said.

"You were the last to come home but your achievements are written in the lights of the glittering capitals of the dynamic region we see today. You fought for freedom, brought the Second World War to its end, and restored peace and prosperity to the world."